Product of the week: Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector

This summer it's all about the skin looking young, fresh and radiating with health and cult Australian make up brand Becca has the perfect answer. Their Shimmering Skin Perfector comes top of the class with a perfect A*! Here at Bella Queen headquarters, we’re raving about this must have product that can go anywhere with you, from the city to relaxing on the beach.

To start with, it's a water based moisturiser so ideal for our current hot weather and it gives protection from over 90% of dangerous early aging UVA and UVB rays with an SPF 20. Plus, it comes in a sleek pump action bottle, which is good for reducing product wastage.

It's vitamin infused with A, B, D and E and with this concoction you’ll be getting help with tissue repair, boosting your collagen levels and improving your skin’s ability to retain moisture. Definitely, helps keep your skin looking good for longer.
With five easy to use shades, all skin tones are covered and it feels very light on the skin. Our favourite aspect is the fact that it contains mica, which causes light to bounce of your skin and gives the skin a healthy and glowing appearance. The shimmer works to even out complexion, by brightening dark patches, an added bonus!

There are so many ways to use the Shimmering Skin Perfector. Use on its own for a light weight and uber dewy look which is perfect for lounging by the pool, mix with your usual foundation for a radiant look on a busy day and for dancing the night away use as a highlighter when you’ve finished applying foundation and powder by dabbing over cheekbones, browbones or wherever you want a bit of a glow.

So this week we take our crown off to Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfector, which does exactly as it says on the bottle. It gives the instant appearance of perfect skin, with a hint of shimmer!

Product(s) of the Week: OPI DripDry & RapiDry Spray

We've all been there.... freshly painted nails, good coverage, nice and even polish.... then you reach into our handbag and out comes at least one nail with a smudge or dent. Can put anyone worth their polish off painting their nails!

OPI to the rescue. Their DripDry drops can get nails touch dry in 5 minutes. And followed by a quick spritz of RapiDry spray, nails will be dry to a smooth and smudge proof finish within minutes.

To use, add a 1-2 drops of DripDry to each nail 1 minute after adding top coat to the last nail. Then wait 2 minutes and spritz each hand with RapiDry holding the bottle about 12 inches away from the hand.

Now sit back, put your feet up and flip through your fave glossy for 10 minutes. Nails dry and your fabulous self is good to go. Happy painting, Bella Queens!

Storage goes Stylish!

We've fallen in love with The Holding Company! Visited them at Selfridges, London and concluded that they really do provide stylish storage solutions. That said, the choice was extensive and everything was still simple, practical and infused with a sense of fun!

Being lovers of all things beauty AND beautiful, we couldn't resist these 2 very apt storage boxes :-) Perfect for storing nail care products and make up items, especially when on the go!

More info: http://www.theholdingcompany.co.uk/

Sunkissed Summer Glow

Sun’s out (finally) and here at Bella Queen headquarters we are just loving the sun kissed, glowing, healthy skinned look. After months of cover up, its time to let loose and give some colour back to our legs and arms, in fact our whole bodies!

To start with, we’re working on getting rid of any dry skin. Body sugars, body polishes, exfoliators, what ever works to reveal smoother and softer skin, we on it. By the way, we’re in love with the radiance boosting Laura Mercier Crème Brulee Sugar Scrub. It contains Vitamin A and E and Grapeseed and Olive oil which moisturise, soothe and protect the skin.

Now at this point, we would then slather on moisturiser all over the body, but at 2010 is the year of being all grown up, we are using the much more sophisticated, glow enhancer and sometimes over looked BODY OIL!

Body oils are so the moisturiser for this summer. Light and easily absorbed they keep the skin hydrated while casting a sexy glow all over. And if you get one with fragrance, you can be ‘scentalious’ all day!

Our faves are below:

Johnson’s Baby Oil – £2.99 - it’s cheap and cheerful. And as the advert says, it will leave your skin as soft as a baby’s bum and cast a slight healthy shine.

Champney’s Citrus Dry Glow Body Oil - £7 – this comes in a spray pump so its easy to use around the body and its non greasy (hence the word dry in its name, we guess). Suitable for every day use, the lemon and cardamom essential oils will lightly fragrance your skin, as well as soften.

SEN’s Lotus & Jasmine Massage Oil - £15 - although a massage oil, this oil is delightful enough to be used as an all over body moisturiser. With Jasmine and Sweet Almond oils, your skin will be left smelling faintly sweet and glowing all over.

MAC’s To The Beach Bronzing Oil - £15.50 – Limited Edition. This has bronze and gold shimmer particles suspended in oil which leaves a sheer, sexy gleam on the skin. It dries quickly and leaves no residue. Could you ask for more?

So go forth, jump in that shower, scrub up and emerge a bronzed and oiled goddess!

The Big Clear Out

Summer is finally here and as you throw away old tights, scarves and gloves, don’t forget to throw out winter cast offs from your make up bag and bathroom shelves. All products have a shelf life, cosmetics and make up are no exception.

Mascara, must be changed every three months. It's a key culprit in harbouring bacteria which can cause unsightly eye infections. Liquid eyeliner is another staple that needs binning an a quarterly basis. Once opened and in use, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria also. Pencil liners on the other hand can last up to two years, but beware that the colour and texture can change over time and make the pencil less efficient and pleasant to use. So keep an eye (no pun intended) on it!

Powder based products like face compacts or eye shadows typically have a few years on them once opened, but beware for when they start appearing extra dry or caked up in their tins. This is a clear sign that its time for them to go.

Liquid cosmetics like cleansers, foundations and mousses tend to lose 50% of their shelf life once opened, so use quickly and make sure lids are tightly on once opened. However, once the smell starts to change or ingredients start separating it should be heading straight for the bin.

Make up sponges and brushes must be washed at least once a week to rid them of dirt, bacteria and product build up. A cost effective way to keep them clean is to wash them in some warm water with some gentle shampoo and leave them flat to dry. Airing cupboards are a great place to get them dry very quickly.

A concealer brush should be washed each time its used, as lets face it, you’re using it to cover up a spot which may be infectious, and by using the same brush again the next time, you really are only moving the infection from one side of your face to the other.

Nail Polishes – these don’t need necessarily need throwing out as much as reviving. Old polish can be revived by putting in a few drops of polish thinner, closing the lid and giving it a good shake. Be warned nail polish remover does not do the same job, instead invest in a quality thinner like Leighton Denny's As Good As New or Mavala's Thinner. Both are under £10 and can dramatically increase the life of your favourite must have colour.

So there you go, get cleaning, chuck out the dead products and give yourself and excuse to hit the beauty counters all over again!

Muji Magic

In case you missed it, Bella Queen's favourite organise and tidy store, Muji, has launched a capsule skin care collection. And just like everything else it stocks, the products are practical, sensible and altogether to the point!

Similar to another Far East brand the key factor in this range is the water used to create the products. The water is from the Iwate region of Japan and is renowned for its softness and minuscule particle size. The science? the smaller and delicate the particle, the easier it is for the skin to absorb! Comprendre?

Lesson over! Although a fantastic start off range, there are only products for sensitive skin or dry skin. Oily skin sufferers, like me, lets keep hope alive!

There is peach juice for dry skin, which is very moisturising and grapefruit essence for sensitive skin, which naturally protects and keeps the skin moistened.

All the products are free from common irritants, packaged in a unisex design and reasonably priced from just under £8 to a top price of £18.

Perfect Pouts!

Product of the week: Dermalogica Lip Renewal Complex


Let dry and chapped lips be a thing of the past! The Dermalogica Lip Renewal Complex really is a miracle product that leaves your lips not only smoother and softer due its high concentrations of Cocoa and Shea butters, but also has high levels of avocado oil which deep conditions the lips.

Its part of the Age Smart range, so therefore helps minimises all those pesky fine lines that can appear around the lip and prevents signs of ageing by stimulating lip plumping collagen.

The added bonus is that the Lip Complex forms a waterproof barrier that locks in moisture and works perfect either on its own or as a base for lip liner and lipstick.

Quick Tip – use just before bed for pout worthy soft lips in the morning!

The White Brigade

White nail polish is the comeback kid this spring. Its all over the catwalks and gracing the fingers of some of our most loved celebrities, from Lady Gaga (who's always been a white talon fan) to Gwen Stefani to Natasha Bedingfield.

It really is a spring awakening as we make a move away from the dark colours of winter. White nail polish is just so crisp, fresh and clean and really makes a statement. In its most opaque form it screams luxury and at its sheerest oozes sophistication.

And the cool thing is, everyone can wear white on their nails, just follow this tip. If you are an English Rose stick to sheer pearly whites with a hint of pink. For the California tan girl a more opaque, glossy white will really show of your colour.

Right on...the all white brigade is here!

The Nail Refurb!

I am champion of natural nail! That is not to say that I don't like extensions, but with everything there's a time and place!

Come forward Mrs X who's been a fan of acrylic for years and finally decided she's had enough and picked them all off causing sever damage and trauma to her natural nails underneath!

Product of the week - Leighton Denny Renovate - saved her!

Like a home refurbishment or renovation, Renovate which is infused with rich avocado and rice bran oil helps to nourish and smooth out the nail to stop dryness, peeling and flaking.

It come with a simple 2 sided buffer and a high impact intense vitamin E cream to be massaged into the nails to return them to their former glory.

Used regularly it eases the damage from the nail and encourage stronger and healthier nail growth and combined with a good nail care regime, it works wonders on tired extension damaged nails!

A v. Fishy Pedicure!

A very fishy pedicure has been making waves in Asia and some parts of America and may soon be coming to the UK and I for one cannot wait to try it out! (I'm already on the waiting list) Its even made it way on to an Ugly Betty episode.

The Fish pedicure has been around since about 2008, but it must have stayed underwater...oops! undercover, till now. Now there is a waiting list to have one. Aqua Sheko, are set to be the first to offer Londoners the Fish Pedicure in a swish spa in Kensington.

Quite simply it involves placing your feet in tank of warm water which holds the fish. These Garra Rufa fish (technical name) are toothless and they nibble away at dead skin while leaving healthy skin untouched and can nibble away for anything up to thirty minutes depending on how much dry skin there is. They also secrete an enzyme which encourages skin regeneration - meaning brand new baby soft skin. You really couldn't ask for more!

It all sounds intimidating and it probably isn't for the fainthearted, but those who have tried it have nothing but praise for it. Word of warning though, you should always have a standard pedicure after, so that your feet can be properly cleaned.

Think of those calluses and cracked heels.....tempted??? Its worth a go, at least!

The Nail Detox

This week a client said to me - 'I want to give me nails a rest, a bit of a breather, so I don't want any polish.'

She was right and wrong at the same time. In my book after months of wearing our favourite rouge noires and other dark polishes, now is the perfect time to give nails a breather and allow them to develop strength in time for the on slaught of fabulous summer colours which are about to hit the shelves. 

But at the same time its important to wear polish to protect the nails from everyday bumps and knocks! In comes in the NAIL DETOX.... just like the one we promise ourselves after the Christmas binge!

The nail detox simply consists of removing any old polish using a good polish remover that re-balances moisture on nail and works on removing staining. Leighton Denny Brilliance Nail Polish Remover does a fantastic job.

Massage a good nail and cuticle oil into the nail and surround to moisture and hydrate. OPI Avoplex cuticle oil is award winning and so is Solar Oil be Creative Nail Designs (CND) and that is all there is to know!

Follow this up with a light buff to smooth the refine and smooth the surface of the nail. Again Leighton has out hearts with his Trio Buffer which is in one word amazing and really does bring out the shine in your nails!

Now polish with a shield, this will keep your nails well looked after and infuse the nail plate with proteins to keep the strong and healthy. OPI's Nail Envy is fantastic for this and if you're already a well manicured gal, you can use the Nail Envy Maintenance polish and this maintains your already perfect talons! Creative Nail Designs have Toughen Up, which strengthen the nails and also acts as a base coat. Essie has a 3 step programme starting of with Millionails which fortifies the nail.

Keep the detox going for at least a month. If you must wear polish go for a light shade with less chance of staining. Soon you'll have healthily balanced nails ready to sport the shocking brights or pretty pastel colours that are hot off the catwalk!

Hollywood Kittens

The L'Oreal make up artists really went to town this week on the X Factor girls.....keeping bang in line with the big band week, they took the girls to old style Hollywood....glamorous and gorgeous, sexy and sultry!

Lots of pearly eyeshadows, grown up black eyeliner, lashings of mascara and good old fashioned statement red lipstick...not forgetting dramatic falsies! Even the hair had the 'wave' factor!

For us at Bella Queen, it was all about the eyes, we truly loved the classic throw back to the great ladies of Tinseltown.

Rocking the Runway!

Bella Queen, loves partnering up with good causes and tomorrow night see's us working our make up magic with the talented group - I LOVE RUNWAY!

They're staging a charity fashion showcase in aid of Cancer Research and other notable causes at Jongleurs in Battersea, London.

It promises to be an uplifting and fun filled evening with a runway fashion show, music acts and dance groups.

Come and have fun for charity!

More info, click here: I LOVE RUNWAY

Scrub up! Scrub Up!

Fall, autumn, whatever you may call it, is fast approaching. The weather is getting chillier and the nights considerably longer. Soon coats, tights, hats, scarves and gloves will be just like Jay Z, coming out of retirement.

With our constant central heating, frequent blasts of cold air and skin wrapped up all day, its not rocket science that our skin starts to look dull, grey and tired. It’s simply a build up of dead skin cells which stop the skin from radiating wellness.

As winter approaches, body exfoliation must not slip down your grooming to do list. Your skin may be covered up but it shouldn’t be a case of out of sight, out of mind! The skin is the body’s largest organ so must be given it due love and attention.

The easiest way to remove dead skin cells is to use a body polisher when in the shower or bath. This is gentle enough to be used every day to lift dead skin cells and leave the looking more even and radiant. Especially if you slather up in a good moisturiser afterwards.

One step up, is to use a body brush which is especially good for hard to reach areas like the back. Your back is usually one of the parts of the body that gets less love, simply because it is hard to reach. The body brush solves this problem with its long handle and the soft bristles gently exfoliate leaving your back glowing. Do this a maximum of twice a week during winter and you’ll have a back worth its strappy top come summer.

Next for a little bath time luxury, you can add an exfoliating scrub or gel in the mix. A body scrub also contains essential oils and moisturisers which condition new skin cells as they emerge. That is when you really look after your skin from inside out! There are a great many which also firm, smooth, stimulate and invigorate the skin. The choice really is yours!

Even as the cold weather descends and you snuggle up warmly in your comfy coats and jackets, remember exfoliation should a key part of any beauty conscious diva’s routine... all year round!

Time to get lippy!

A 1940’s vintage revival is on and it seems the red lipstick has come to roost in every make up bag this autumn. From deep berry colours to scarlet red, this is the season to be sporting your favourite shade of red.

The autumn/winter 09 catwalk was rife with this crimson shade and beauty magazine are touting the return of the classic red. Whether you’re into the smudged or precise lippy look, go forth and wear your favourite red proudly....bring out the femme fatale in you!

And of course, Bella Queen has scoured the shops to bring you the top 3 red’s this season:

Besame Cosmetics – Enchanting Lipstick in Cherry Red – most glam of the season
MAC – Ruby Woo – a favourite of every make up artist
YSL – Rouge Volupté – brings out your sensual side

...and remember, there's a shade of red fo evey skin tone. Have fun testing and finding YOUR special colour!

Making bath time sweeter!

I've been a big fan of REN for a few years. I love how the simplicity and natural'ness' of their products and ingredients deliver effective results and right now I'm loving their Moroccan Rose Otto Body Polish...its simply divine and a must not only for the summer, but all year round.

This delicately scented little jar can turn bath time fun into bath time bliss. It exfoliates and removes dead skin cells to reveal beautifully radiant skin! The rose extract (which is fairtrade!)makes sure your skin is uber soft and silky smooth....

...and the pleasure keeps on coming! As if a scrub isn't enough, the nice REN people also created a body wash and body oil to match. They already had me at the scrub :-).

With rose from Morocco, sugar and tea tree from Paraguay, this is one delicious gem that has earned its place in my bathroom cabinet!

Magic in a bottle!

My latest addiction.....LASH POWER MASCARA by Clinique!

My search for smudge proof, water resistant mascara has literally taken me from London to New York, but I have now found the perfect no nonsense mascara that does exactly what it says on the tin...well tube.

This mascara DOES NOT budge, come rain, shine or tears. The long wearing formula delivers beautifully long and full lashes in one stroke that quite simply stays put until you wash it off. And even then, only if you wash it off with warm water does it come off!

Simply put, its magic in a bottle and at less than £15 you are guaranteed flirty lashes all day long!

Its already achieved cult status in my Bella Queen make up kit.